Chapter 18 – A Fresh Start, A Quiet Day

For the first time in a long time, I didn’t wake up feeling heavy.

The trip had helped—at least, a little. The pain hadn’t disappeared, and the emptiness still lingered, but there was something else now. A sliver of peace. A small but noticeable difference in the way I carried myself.

I took a deep breath as I looked around my room. Everything was just as I had left it. The same bed, the same desk, the same books neatly stacked in their place. It was comforting in a way, even if it didn’t erase the past.

Stepping out of my room, the scent of coffee and toast drifted through the air, a reminder that life hadn’t stopped just because mine had felt like it did.

I walked into the kitchen to find Mom standing by the stove, flipping pancakes. Dad sat at the dining table, sipping his coffee and reading the newspaper, while Noah scrolled through his phone, looking far too amused for this early in the morning.

Mom turned when she heard me, a warm smile spreading across her face. "Good morning, sweetheart. Did you sleep well?"

I hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Yeah. Better than before."

Her smile grew as if my answer had given her hope. "That’s good to hear. Are you hungry?"

I glanced at the food and, surprisingly, realized I actually was. "A little."

Noah smirked from across the table. "Must be the magic of your new best friend."

I narrowed my eyes. "What are you talking about?"

He set his phone down, wiggling his eyebrows. "Ethan. You know, the guy who managed to get you to stop looking like a zombie for five minutes."

I rolled my eyes, sitting down at the table. "He’s just a friend, Noah."

"Sure, sure," he teased, taking a bite of his toast. "And I suppose that little diary he gave you was just a random act of kindness?"

I stiffened slightly, glancing toward my bag where the diary was tucked away. I hadn’t even opened it yet, but knowing it was there made me feel… I didn’t know. Seen, maybe.

Mom placed a plate of pancakes in front of me, smiling softly. "I think it’s nice that you made a friend, Aurora. You needed that."

Dad hummed in agreement, though his tone remained firm. "As long as you don’t let it distract you from school."

I sighed, picking up my fork. "I know, Dad. I’ll be fine."

His gaze lingered for a second longer before he nodded. "Good. Because you’re going back today."

I swallowed a small groan but didn’t argue. I knew this was coming, and honestly, I wasn’t as opposed to it as I thought I would be.

Maybe, just maybe, I was ready to try again.

---

Walking through the school gates felt surreal.

It wasn’t that I had been gone for years, but it felt like I was stepping into a different version of my life. One where I wasn’t the same girl who had walked through these halls before.

I adjusted my bag strap, inhaling deeply as I took in the familiar sounds—students chatting, lockers slamming, teachers calling out for kids to hurry. It was all the same, and yet, I felt different.

People noticed me almost immediately.

Some whispered, some stole quick glances, but none of it bothered me the way it used to.

I wasn’t fragile anymore.

At least, not the way I had been before.

"Aurora," a familiar voice called.

I turned to see Mia, one of my old classmates, approaching hesitantly. She was one of the few who had never been cruel to me, but she also hadn’t really been a friend.

"You’re back," she said, as if confirming it for herself.

I nodded. "Yeah."

She smiled, a little unsure. "It’s good to see you."

I gave her a small, polite smile. "Thanks."

She hesitated like she wanted to say more but then just nodded before walking off.

It was strange, but for the first time in a while, I felt like I was standing on my own again.

---

Classes passed without much issue.

I took notes, answered questions when necessary, and mostly kept to myself. It felt… normal.

That was until lunch.

I walked into the cafeteria, expecting to feel the usual discomfort, but instead, I just felt indifferent. I grabbed my tray, scanning the room.

The usual groups sat where they always did. The athletes at their table, the cheerleaders at theirs, the quiet kids in the corner. And then there was Jessica Carter.

The moment she spotted me, her eyes lit up with that familiar, nasty gleam.

"Well, well," she said loudly, making sure people heard her. "Look who finally crawled back from the dead."

A few people laughed.

I didn’t react.

Jessica smirked, flipping her blonde hair over her shoulder. "Did you finally get over your little heartbreak?"

I stared at her for a second, feeling… nothing. No pain. No anger. Just mild annoyance.

I walked past her without a word, heading straight to an empty table.

Jessica blinked, clearly expecting more of a reaction. "No comeback? That’s new."

I still didn’t respond.

Because she wasn’t worth it.

---

By the time the school day ended, I felt something close to accomplishment.